Master of Science in Building Technology - School of Housing, Building and Planning

This programme is the latest addition to the existing MSc. programmes offered by the school. 

The main objective of the programme is to train graduates with expertise in science and technology of building construction, infrastructure, building system and structure, materials technology, building services and maintenance, building control and automation, geotechnic and geosystem as well as building energy studies.

This mixed-mode structure is tailor-made to assist candidates who are aspire to further their studies toward PhD.

Course Structure

A. Compulsory Courses (8 units)

B. Research Project (28 units)

C. Elective Courses *

* Students are required to obtain a minimum of 4 units from elective courses

Course Approach

The full-time programme covers a minimum of one-year academic session, or equivalent to two semesters (including submission of research project report).

The part-time programme covers a minimum of two-year academic sessions, or equivalent to four semesters (including submission of research project report).

The courses are conducted by full-time academic staff with the support of visiting lecturers, professors and relevant practicing professionals. Modes of teaching include lectures, tutorials, discussions, seminars, case studies and project assignments.

Assessment is made on the basis of assignments, coursework and examination. For research projects, candidates are required to submit a formal report and attend a viva session at the end of the final semester.

MSc. Degree in Building Technology is conferred to candidates who have accumulated not less than 40 credit units. The students are required to complete two courses listed as compulsory, one course from elective courses and a dissertation.

Course Synopsis

A. Compulsory Courses

REG 562 - Building Services Technology
This course covers the components of building science and services. The former includes indoor air quality, noise and acoustic while the latter include includes fire services, transportation, lighting, thermal services, plumbing and sanitary. The course also covers the aspect of management and commissioning of building services system in buildings. 

REG 563 - Sustainable Infrastructure
This course provides the exposure to the types, systems, technology and materials to design new, rehabilitate old, and optimize existing infrastructures according to the latest global sustainable development principles.

B. Research Project

REL 573 –Building Technology Dissertation
This course is a compulsory for the student to conduct an independent research on a common interest topic such as construction technology, construction geo-technique, building materials, building maintenance, building infrastructure, building energy studies, building control & diagnostics, building automation, indoor & outdoor environment, , building security technology, fire safety as well, as other areas related to building science,/engineering/services. Each student is required to suggest a suitable research topic to a project coordinator for approval. Assessment is made at the end of the course by a committee of lecturers.

C. Elective Courses

REG 564 - Sustainable Buildings
This course emphasizes on the concept, methodologies and strategies to achieve sustainable buildings, including various standard evaluation techniques applied in determining the level of sustainability in buildings. 

REG 565 - Sustainable Construction Technology and Management
This course covers on the introduction to the theories and application of construction technology and management. The course investigates the common technology of construction as well as the principles of scheduling, organizing, managing and controlling of project activities. Hence, all aspects of managing a construction project related to the common technologies of construction are covered by this course.

REG 566 - Building Pathology and Maintenance
This course covers the theory and application of building pathology and maintenance dealing with specific diagnosis, prognosis and repair issues associated with buildings and structures. Building pathology embraces a holistic approach to the repair of buildings and structures.

This involves a detailed understanding of how the structure is built, the materials of which it is constructed, how it has been used, how it has performed over time, and all the factors that have affected its current condition. In addition, building maintenance technology can be broadly defined as the application of scientific principles to the care and preservation of built assets. More specifically it incorporates the skills and knowledge attained through training, education and experience to inspect, manage, maintain, clean, renovate, retrofit and restore buildings and services. Building maintenance technology is therefore concerned with the technical requirements of investigating and diagnosing faults to assess condition building structures, materials and components. 

REG 567 - Advanced Construction Materials
This course covers on the introduction to materials and its uses with reference to the building performance. Design characteristics; physical and chemical characteristics; material compositions, productions and its uses in the building construction industries. Performance, durability, sources of deterioration and its resistance to environmental factors. Laboratory study and research of building materials and quality control in practice. Materials concerned are concrete, metals, woods and timbers, ceramics, glass fiber, ferrocement and other composite materials.

Applicants should possess the following:

A. Bachelor's degree in Housing, Building and Planning USM or from other universities such as Engineering, Architecture, Building, Planning, Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying with:

1. CGPA of at least 2.75 / 4.00; or

2. CGPA between 2.50 - 2.74 with the following additional conditions: or

a) Research experience for at least one year; or
b) Work experience in related field for at least one year; or
c) At least one (1) academic publication in the relevant field; or
d) Grade B for major / elective courses; or
e) Grade B+ for final year project

3. CGPA between 2.00 - 2.49 (Bachelor's Degree with Honours) with the following additional conditions: or

a) Research experience for at least five (5) years; or
b) Work experience in related field for at least five (5) years; AND
c) At least one (1) academic publication in the relevant field; or
d) Grade B for major / elective courses; or
e) Grade B+ for final year project

B. Preference is given to those who have relevant working experience.

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

The minimum score for each programme can be vary from the below list, candidates are required to check for each programme requirements.

• A minimum of Band 5 for IELTS; or
• A minimum score of 40 for TOEFL (Internet-based); or
• A minimum of Band 7.5 for TOEFL Essentials (Online); or
• A minimum score of 154 for Cambridge English: Advance (CAE)/Proficiency (CPE) /Preliminary (PET) /First (FCE)/ Linguaskill Online min. score 154; or
• A minimum score of 47 for Pearson Test of English (PTE); or
• A minimum of Band 107 for CIEP Level (ELS); or
• A minimum of Band 3.5 for Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

Exemption is given to candidate if:

• English is the candidate’s mother tongue or National Language; or
• Candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction at Bachelor and/or Master degree level is English (statement of proof required)

• Full time: Min. 2 semesters  Max. 4 semesters
• Part time: Min. 4 semesters  Max. 8 semesters

April & October

** Fees are subject to change